We aren’t skilled fishermen, by any means. But we think we’ve done all right so far. Here is our 4th fish ever, a 24″ black fin tuna.
A few weeks ago, something really big grabbed our line. We think we caught a Mahi and a great white shark took it, along with 90% of our fishing line. (We’re not really sure what it was, but it’s a good story and we’re sticking with it.)
Anyway, this big ass fish broke the clicker on our reel. So now when we toss the line out, we can’t tell if it’s running or not. Luckily, we have two fishing poles. We put them both out and hope for the best.
Today, the audible reel sounded off with that exciting buzzing sound. You know, the one that makes your adrenaline rush? The one that gets you all excited because you think you won’t have to actually open a can of something for dinner? The one that screams, “I am a provider after all!”
Jeff slowed down the boat, and I started reeling. It wasn’t hard, so I thought we either had a small fish, or it got away. But I kept reeling with that hopeful look in my eye. I eventually saw that it was a good sized fish. I just didn’t know what it was. The only fish I’d ever caught as an adult were three Mahi Mahi’s, and a mullet by accident (see episode 7).
As I pulled this guy onto the deck, I had a gut feeling about the other line. Jeff went over to check it and found that the line was almost completely run out. I dumped my tuna head first into a bucket and headed to Jeff to help. Another tuna! Only bigger! As I tried to pull him up onto the deck, the hook ripped out of its lip, and it got away. Oh, well. We still had one. A 24 incher! I gently sent him to la la land by pouring vodka into his gills. Don’t worry Mike. It wasn’t your Tito’s.
Never having filleted a tuna before, I radioed my friend, Heidi, on Wildest Dreams. We happened to both be sailing to Chub Cay that day. Since she was closer to land than I was, she had internet. She jumped online and began searching while Jeff tried to get enough service and found a YouTube video. You can learn everything from YouTube.
Tuna is a really bloody fish. I won’t go into the gory details, but let’s just say that filleting this sucker was a job and a half. It’s amazing that I faint at the sight of a syringe, but I can filet a fish. Go figure. But I did it, and dinner was delicious!
May 2021